Four million for Robotron canteen: Cultural site of the future is created!

Four million for Robotron canteen: Cultural site of the future is created!

Dresden, Deutschland - The Robotron canteen in Dresden, an important architectural monument to the Eastern Modernue, is faced with comprehensive renovation. Thanks to a federal funding commitment of four million euros, the redesign of the former administrative building of VEB Robotron is now becoming a reality. The aim of transforming the canteen into an international cultural and meeting place under the "National Projects of Urban Construction" program. This is reported by the Wochenkurier .

After the renovation, the Robotron canteen will not only be a space for cultural events, but will also offer the Kunstbiennale Ostral a permanent home. A comprehensive repair of the building envelope, roof renovations and the elimination of building damage is planned. There is also the installation of modern building technology such as electricity, water and heating. The theses are in prospect by the end of 2028 at the latest, and construction will start for 2027. The total costs of the renovation amount to around 6.1 million euros.

artistic use in focus

The Ostral Biennale, which has been taking place in the Robotron canteen since June 7, 2025 and has opened until October 5, 2025, continues to become the heart of the new cultural center. The Biennale will be open to visitors on Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is supported by the artist community and the Kunsthaus Dresden, which will also find new premises here.

The construction itself has an interesting story: built between 1969 and 1972 by the architects Herbert Zimmer, Peter Schramm and Siegfried Thiel, he consists of serial prefabricated components that give the building a pavilion -like character. The facade to the Lingnerallee, which is covered with turquoise-blue ceramic tiles, is striking. Inside there are two large dining rooms with space for 800 people as well as artistic details such as formal stone walls of the sculptor Eberhard Wolf and a special “moki ceiling” from plaster.

background and financing

The city of Dresden has acquired the Robotron canteen on the initiative of the city council in order to snatch it from the impending demolition. The preservation of the building met with great encouragement from the city society, and numerous initiatives of the cultural and creative industries are committed to the important cultural use. The protection position as a monument ultimately set the course for the renovation, which is now made possible with a solid financing mix of federal funds, a generous donation of 1.5 million euros from the Arnhold family and the city's own funds. Further information on funding opportunities in the cultural area can be found on creative-bund.de

The Robotron canteen has a hope for the future, as a place of encounter and cultural exchange, which will radiate far beyond the city limits.